Cupping Therapy is a type of alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. It can either be done statically (cups are left in place) or dynamically (cups are being moved around) and may be used in conjunction with passive or active movement. Cupping Therapy may be beneficial in the stimulation of muscles and can be particularly helpful in the treatment of aches and pains associated with various conditions.
Cupping Therapy seems to have therapeutic value on:
- Perceptions of pain and disability
- Increasing ROM
- Nonspecific low back pain and neck pain
- Increased oxygen in local areas from increased local blood flow
- Reductions in creatine kinase (acting as an anti-inflammatory)
Indications for Cupping Therapy may include:
- Pain conditions
- Muscular tension
- Lymphatic drainage
- Entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, etc.
